Scripture: Galatians 5:25-26 Since this is the kind of life we have chosen, the life of the Spirit, let us make sure that we do not just hold it as an idea in our heads or a sentiment in our hearts, but work out its implications in every detail of our lives. That means we will not compare ourselves with each other as if one of us were better and another worse. We have far more interesting things to do with our lives. Each of us is an original.

Quote from Pray While You’re Prey: "I am working for God and myself, not wearing myself out for someone else. That may sound selfish, but if you’re single, this is the time for a little selfishness. You always keep God first, and He will make sure that you are not crossing the line between being a little selfish and totally self-centered. So use your "me time.'"

Every artist hopes to create a masterpiece; that one original work that will no doubt make the world stand still and notice. It is a work so original that no one will dare compare it with any other because there is nothing of its kind. It stands alone and is taken just for its own beauty, its own decadence, its own wonder. No matter the medium every artist tries over and over again until he or she has finally made the piece of work that defines his or her talent. And, an artist is fortunate if he or she has one masterpiece, but some of the greatest creative minds have more than one. God, the ultimate Creator, has many masterpieces; too many to number. Anyone who finds his or her fulfillment in living the life that God has for him or her is one of His masterpieces. As such, as the Scripture suggests, each of us is an original. There is no comparing my life to your life. There is no time for that. There is time, however, to explore every intricate detail of ever unique quality that God has given you…especially, if you are single. God has sewn each of us together in such a particular way that when we tap into the greatness for which He has called us, we can be an amazing asset to this world and more importantly to the Kingdom of God. However, we get so caught up in what others are doing, what gifts they have, what talents they possess, or what people surround them, that we downplay how marvelous God has made us. We must stop comparing. If we choose to live a life led by the Spirit and really work every detail of our lives according to His plan, then we have to trust that He has given us what we need in every moment of every day of our lives. We must not yield to the temptation to say that another of God’s masterpieces is greater or has it better because they have something that we desire. We must focus on our own mission, our own imprint in this world, and the impact on society that God has chosen for us. The season of singleness gives ample opportunity for this exploration. Much like we would not compare works of Picasso to those of Beethoven because they are completely different genres, we cannot compare ourselves to another Christian, or non-Christian for that matter and say that God may one more special than the other. God knows every one of our capabilities and vulnerabilities and He is able to use it all for His glory. He can take each of us and make a masterpiece if we will surrender and only compare ourselves to the example of Christ, and not other people.

Prayer Thank You, God for making me an original. Thank You for having a specific plan for my life. Please forgive me for comparing my life to the lives of others. Please forgive me for downplaying your ability to make me into a masterpiece. Lord, please help me to focus on being the person that you need me to be. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Scripture: Exodus 20:17 “You shall not covet your neighbor’s house. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his male or female servant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.”

Quote from Pray While You’re Prey: “We shouldn’t even think about what God has given someone else other than to thank Him for blessing that person. And if the person is not of God, we really shouldn’t care about her earthly possessions because our reward is in Heaven.”

This story is in the book, Pray While You’re Prey, but it bears repeating. So, there I was minding my own business in the lounge at my law school, when a classmate and so-called friend of mine burst in the room in a huff. “What’s the matter?” I asked. “I hate you,” she replied. I thought for sure that she was kidding, but she wasn’t. She began to berate me for having a husband, good grades and an active social life. She admitted, on more than one occasion, that she was jealous of me. If there was ever a clear depiction of exactly what the Bible tells us not to do in Exodus 20:17, this was it. Most of us aren’t as bold as this sister because we envy in secret. Now, before we go on getting all holier-than-thou about this sister’s attitude, we need to check ourselves. There have been MANY times when I have felt the same way, but just didn’t say it. What she didn’t know and later came to realize was that my marriage was failing and studying and having a social life were an escape for me. I learned a couple of things from this situation, though. First, jealousy often blinds us to the truth. Second, it’s called the green-eyed monster because a monster is exactly what envy turns us into. For me, the root of my jealousy is not that I am unhappy for the person who is being blessed. I find myself truly giddy when others are experiencing joyful circumstances. I am jealous because I do not know when or how my blessing will come to pass. I get jealous because it seems that everything is going so well for other people, and I am trying to live the right kind of life, yet not getting the desires of my heart. So, I really do not have a problem with the other person. I, dare I say it, have a problem with God. And, once we enter into the state where we think we know better than God, the devil has us right where he wants us. We start to see things that aren’t there like my friend saw with my “happy” marriage. (In her defense, I am one heck of an actress, so we did appear to be deliriously happy even when the complete opposite was true). In any case, the root of jealousy starts with the mentality that we deserve something or that God owes us something in our lives and we mistakenly feel that He has given it to someone else. And, if you have ever seen four-year-olds on a playground, you know how nasty things can get when a person feels that someone else has what should be hers. Here comes the monster! So, how do we fix this problem? First, stop looking around. Stop fixating on what others have. I mean, this was one of the original Ten for a reason. Second, stop looking down. We must stop looking down on others when they are blessed and stop looking down on ourselves when we do not get what we want when we want it. Finally, start looking up. Look to God for peace and patience, not possessions. He has already given us more than we deserve and He owes us nothing. Yet, He is still merciful and gracious and will provide our every need. We either believe that or we don’t. So, if we know that God will provide our every need, there is no reason to be jealous of anyone else. I have had people jealous of me (at least they were according to my mom) and I have been the jealous one. The only One with a right to be jealous is God because He is the only One who has invested enough in us to have our full, undivided attention. The green-eyed monster needs to go away for good; it is not a good look for anyone, but especially for a Christian.

Prayer Thank You, God for providing all of my needs according to Your riches in glory. Please forgive me for being jealous of what others have. Lord, please help me to stay in my lane and focus on You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen